Reviews for NPC and Quest MODs for BGEE, BG2EE, IWDEE and IWD2

[xiaoleiwen]

I think I somehow have the motivation to do the sod content this time.

I think I misunderstood the Imoen has better reason to stay in Palace component from Imoen4ever mod, and misunderstood the "first coalition camp" as the last big camp, so I thought she will just join in the first dungeon and before end game...

After reading the reademe more carefully, it seems like Imoen will basically stay in the party most of the time in sod, and has some reactions  to several events. 

I guess I should do sod part for my Imoen focus playthrough this time 

Spending more time with her in Bg1 sod probably may enhance the experience with Imoen Romance in bg2

[jastey]

4 minutes ago, xiaoleiwen said:

and misunderstood the "first coalition camp" as the last big camp

Oh! Should I use a different name for it? I wanted to make clear that she will definitely not join the first BG city areas.

Imoen has some reactions and the basic SoD content covered in my SoD NPC Tutorial. If you want to have more Imoen in your runthrough, then the SoD part of I4E should fit. You can install it independnetly to the BGII content.

I am working on giving Imoen in SoD more dialogues and a small quest. But no ETA, currently I'll be happy if I'm done with my SoD moding until Christmas.

[xiaoleiwen]

I believe it is quite clear, it is just a misunderstanding because I didn't read too carefully. 

I play BG1 and 2 separately, so that is why I installed Imoen4ever for my sod game even though I know it is incompatible with bg2. I guess I can still do this  if I play eet since they are different components

Just didn't realise I may get more that what I have expected initially 

I know you are still writing more for her reactions, hopefully in my current run she still comment here and there. I remember vanilla sod npc also didn't talk much, so as long as there are some lines, should be good enough  

[jastey]

5 minutes ago, xiaoleiwen said:

Just didn't realise I may get more that what I have expected initially

Heh. Then I hope the surprise will last with what you experience with Imoen ingame.

[xiaoleiwen]

I mentioned this in the review for Balduran Seatower:

Spoiler

If there is anything I desire more, it could be the lack of interjection. Ajantis talked once or twice, and Viconia had none in my game. There are certain moments that I hope they can say something.

And now I'm addicted with throwing coins into the well repeatedly to see tons of reactions from my party member (especially Imoen). So I keep lot of screenshots here tp show that I was wrong and should not forget this entertaining experience.

Spoiler

Recently I start to think most MODs are much more enjoyable with vanilla NPCs, especially for quest MOD.

Edited July 4, 2022 by xiaoleiwen

[jastey]

4 hours ago, xiaoleiwen said:

So I keep lot of screenshots here tp show that I was wrong and should not forget this entertaining experience.

Thanks for sharing and the feedback!

[xiaoleiwen]

Finished the seatower mod for a second time today, I feel like I enjoy it more than the first time… Honestly this is something rarely happens to me, playing same thing back to back within one year and still enjoy it very much without feeling jaded or have to push myself to finish the “chore”, and I can see it clearer now why I love the quest design- a lot of minor quests here and there that end up have some connection to a bigger quest and there are both predictable and unexpected elements in those quests. There is also replay value for doing certain things in different way. I also appreciate the writing more this time, the way most npcs talk feel very vanilla style, As someone who love interjections I also enjoy the reactions written for our companions that are full of their original personality. 

A simple quest like this also makes me happy:

Spoiler

 

I think now there are at least 3 mods in BG1 that will always in my canon list:

- BG1 NPC MOD

- BGQE

- Balduran’s Seatower

Edited July 6, 2022 by xiaoleiwen

[jastey]

Thanks for sharing and the kind words!

[Chitown Willie]

Thank you for all your reviews - Great insights and super helpful.

Would it be possible to add a 4th category called Balance? I'm wary of mods that add overpowered items and excessive XP for quests.

Thanks!

[Endarire]

Balance in BG mods, especially with so many available, seemed like a tricky subject.  BG and EET are largely open world games, meaning even in vanilla, there are plenty of times when you could intentionally or accidentally be way weaker or stronger than originally intended while still possibly winning.  Balance is also subjective, because some people want to win slowly (high challenge) and some people want to win quickly (low challenge).

[xiaoleiwen]

On 7/11/2022 at 10:03 PM, Chitown Willie said:

Thank you for all your reviews - Great insights and super helpful.

Would it be possible to add a 4th category called Balance? I'm wary of mods that add overpowered items and excessive XP for quests.

Thanks!

It is great to see someone like this thread, have more motivation to write something for my previous and current playthroughs.

I think I won't add a balance category, because this is something that can be quite difficult for me to rate, as i always have different setup for different run, such as whether I use scs, play at what difficulty, install spell or item revision, how much xp from quest and enemies that I have reduced using eet tweak, or whether your party members can use a particular mod item, etc.

To be honest balance issue can be something quite difficult for modder to achieve.

Firstly, the xp issue, most mods are designed in a way that you won't get too much xp if this is the only mod that you are using. However, in reality we use many mods that give extra xp. So i consider this as something players have to customise themselves using eet tweak.

As for items, it can be more difficult:

Underpowered item- boring, not using it, just flavour purpose
Overpowered items - I will definitely mention in my review if I see anything like this.
Relatively "balanced" items- sound useful and great to have, but in fact, too many of balanced useful items can still make the game becomes easy, because you won't be able to use it in vanilla game. This issue is more prominent in a game like IWD1 where you do not have SCS mod to increase/customize the difficulty.

So I generally won't specifically comment on this unless there are something ridiculously overpowered.

Edited August 7, 2022 by xiaoleiwen

[xiaoleiwen]

Not a review but some thoughts on certain MODs:

 Skie - The Cost of One Girl's Soul

Spoiler

The first time I installed this MOD (the previous game that I did not play SOD), I installed her NPC components, and I did the quest correctly and got her back as a joinable companion. I didn’t take her for a full BG2 run, so this is not a review for that.

The first thing I want to say is, in my current playthrough, I finished SOD, and the first moment I started in the cell in BG2, I felt a kind of loss as whatever happened there (like my PC friendship with Khalid) does not have any significance until I saw the dagger and Imoen's comment on Skie's fate in SOD. Hence, I truly appreciate the small quest from this MOD to bring her back, as this is something crucial to connect vanilla BG2 to SOD. I don't really feel any connection without this MOD. The component that adds some flavorful and useful items that have a connection to SOD is also a pretty good idea.

The second thing is, I did not install the Skie NPC component this time, as I try to have a playthrough with more focus on vanilla NPCs. At first, I quite regret this decision, as there is no harm to see an old friend back in BG2, even if I have no plan to bring her along this time. However, after failing her quest due to a selfish roleplaying option, I was quite satisfied with the outcome role-play-wise, as there are consequences and reactions (from companions). I would most probably reload the game if I install her NPC component, so I would say installing the quest component only has made me enjoy more in terms of role-playing my PC, while still enjoying the connection to SOD.

The quest component only is indeed a good small quest addition.

Spoiler

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I also noticed that Southern Edge has a journal collection quest that I didn't encounter during my previous game. So there are two MODs with a similar quest at the moment, interesting 

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It seems like we can edit the old post again, good to know, and probably it is time for me to convert all of my drafts into reviews

Edited August 7, 2022 by xiaoleiwen

[Mordekaie]

@xiaoleiwen I love very much what you have done. Very helpful when you start digging into mods to make your selection ! Thank you.

[xiaoleiwen]

@Mordekaie Thanks and I'm glad you like it

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To update 3 BG1 reviews for my current playthrough. 3 permanent party members this time and I rotate a lot for the other slots (mainly Branwen, Eldoth, Skie, Edwin, Minsc, Dynaheir). They are all great but I will only write a review for them if I bring them for a full BG1 play-through.

Spoiler

I don't really like Branwen's romance for what I have seen. Feel not too consistent with her personality written (in vanilla or interjections from BG1 NPC Project)

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Jaheira and Khalid
(Vanilla NPC with MODs- BG1 NPC Project)

Overall Experience: A
Lore friendly: A+

Spoiler

Jaheira and Khalid join as a couple and they have the most content (more specifically, Jaheira) in terms of interjections and banters compared to the other NPCs in BG1NPC Project. The quality of the writing is outstanding, especially for Jaheira, some of her banter with annoying companions (such as Edwin) is skillfully written and close to a professional level. The Jaheira you see here also feels connected to Beamdogs written ones in SOD and Bioware's ones in BG2 almost seamlessly. There are still very few moments I consider some banters are unlikely to be written by Bioware in such a way (if I rate it with the most strict standard), but those contents are still quite amusing to see. 

Hence, I enjoy their presence very much in BG1. Jaheira acts greatly as a de facto leader who strives to fulfill her old friend's wish by mentoring the PC to be a better person. I play as a druid in this playthrough, which has enhanced this experience even further, as they are several class-specific talks that Jaheira tried to help PC to develop as a fledgling druid. 

Jaheira still has her nagging attitude as we all love/ hate in the vanilla BG2, but this MOD also offers you an opportunity to see her soft and attractive sides when Khalid is still alive. Several sweet moments are quite heartwarming to see and are connected well with the new content written in SOD, which may make the tragedy in the next game more impactful. 

Khalid does not have as much characterization as Jaheira, but generally, his dialogues fully fit his few original banter that we can see in the first game. Although not many, I also feel that there are banters that have reminded me why he has a good intelligence score, which is something I consider good writing because stammering in speech does not always equal idiocy, which has probably been perceived as so in certain MODs. 

Jaheira has a personal quest that is related to one of the vanilla quests and can be considered an interesting extension of that story. Quite enjoy it.

Screenshots:

Spoiler

Druid talk 


When your companions are flirting but you are a lone wolf


Banter

Druid quest

Imoen
(Vanilla NPC with MODs- BG1 NPC Project + Imoen 4 Ever)

Overall Experience: A
Lore Friendly: A

Spoiler

BG1 NPC Project has added a lot of reactions to almost everything for Imoen. The quantity is almost at the same level as Jaheira, with the quality in writing slightly lower than some of the NPCs from this MOD, mainly because some of her dialogues may look slightly modern. 

Don't get me wrong, I said this because I was comparing it to the overall amazing writing from this MOD with the highest standard. If you love Imoen, this MOD has everything you need and has successfully portrayed her as a very likable carefree, and mischievous little sister in the first game. Her personality truly shines in BG1 with this MOD, and you will love her if you like this type of cute character. This MOD will make you care more about her story in BG2 and has increased the immersion for someone who wants to role-play as a good protective brother who is willing to search through the whole Faerun just to rescue your beloved sister. BG1 NPC MOD has also added some scenes that will make you more emotionally attached to the story, such as making a grave for Gorion, and the small gift from your sister. 

I have also installed the SOD components from the Imoen 4 Ever MOD to increase her presence in this playthrough, and I am truly impressed. This MOD rearrange the order of some vanilla dialogues and cutscenes to let Imoen stays in your party most of the time, and the result is pretty convincing- it looks natural and enhanced the experience in the early part of SOD significantly. After all, Imoen is willing to leave Candlekeep to venture into the unknown world with you- she cares about you and has an adventurous spirit, and I always find it implausible that she needs to stay back in the Palace to learn magic, while anyone else in your party can dual class without any similar restriction. 

Unfortunately, as the author has stated, her content in SOD has not been completed yet, so you may notice her interjections while are still pretty well written, are significantly less than the vanilla NPCs, and there is no banter with the others at the moment. However, having a sister who talks less frequent is still much better than "no Imoen at all". I always feel happy when she says something, so this MOD is still very worth using at this stage. 

Finally, you won't know what SOD is missing until you see her reactions to the events in SOD, especially in the later game. Never should have any story reason to take your dear sister away from you in SOD.

Screenshots:

Spoiler

Interjection

Location banter


Good sister gives you a gift


SOD main story reactions


Unexpected SOD minor reactions here and there

Baldur's Gate Romantic Encounters

Overall Experience: B+
Lore friendly: B+

Spoiler

I heard the good and bad reputation of this MOD a long time ago- some say this MOD changes BG into porn, while some say this MOD is a good quest MOD if you just use the teen version. I finished BG1 with this MOD (teen version) and I would agree with the latter. 

I had a bad experience with a mega-mod with an NPC that literally sleep with everyone in the Sword Coast 2 years ago- I might be exaggerating but that MOD has permanently changed me to be extremely cautious in picking any MOD that adds romantic encounters because a wrong choice could make your beloved game becomes too cringe to look at. 

I have expected this MOD to solely add dalliances here and there, but surprisingly I was wrong. I'm not sure whether this is because there are fewer sex scenes for a male PC, or it is simply because the teen version focuses more on adding many "small love stories" across the Sword Coast. They are pretty decent quests with lighthearted and slightly naughty interaction options, and some stories are even quite heart-warming to see. Yes, I would rather name the teen version of this mod as Sword Coast Small Love Stories, because most of the quests that I have encountered are not to satisfy my PC lust, instead, they tell a nice story between some vanilla or mod NPCs. I would consider adding some quests into my future playthroughs because I think they are simply good to have, such as:
- The Messenger
- The Messenger 2
- Camryn and Tamah
- The honest lies of two riversides0
- Molly the Husband-Grabber
- Minor disclosures
- Cloakwood lovers
- The return 

Some quests have also expanded the personality of certain NPCs, while the writing could too wordy sometime (and hence may not look too vanilla), I still enjoy them, and I like Scar's one particularly. I feel like my PC is getting new friends with this MOD. 

Occasionally, some dialogue options could be too wacky to me, and some even feel slightly fourth-wall breaking, so some moments reminded me this is undoubtedly MOD content. 

The girdle of gender reaction is also a hidden gem in this MOD. I enjoy it very much that my companions have so many things to say when my PC changed his gender. I even discovered (when I write this review) that I can use the girdle on the companions for more fun reactions. I'm going to load my old saves and see what will happen. 

Screenshot:

Spoiler

Easter egg for  Salvanas in BG2 

Good side quest enhancing companion backstory

More old friend

Crossmod with Endless BG1
Novel writing quest with a lot of interactions


Funny girdle of gender reactions

 

Edited August 8, 2022 by xiaoleiwen

[xiaoleiwen]

Updated one quest mod review in current playthrough. I will have a pause temporary, playing some jrpgs, and return to this game later. Probably will continue with my Ajantis's game first, or with this Imoen Romance playthrough. (hopefully not a restart, too many tempting MODs to try, like Khalid, Skie... )

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Bridge's Block

Overall Experience: A+
Lore friendly: A+
Area Art: A-

Spoiler

Another good mod from the Athkatlan Grounds Series with vanilla-feel content. This mod is not huge content-wise, but it offers a well-written short story with an appropriate level of interjections from vanilla NPCs. The new areas are reusing vanilla materials, but they mesh well generally and look appropriate location-wise. 

I didn't expect to be surprised by the content from a relatively small mod compared to some mods from the same author, but it happened. I saw quality writing skill here- it seems like the author intends to disguise some early quests as those non-significant fetch quests available in vanilla BG1. However, those quests are not as simple as that, and it is not even a real quest, as they are just designed in such a way to mislead and lower the player's expectation. As a result, the investigation process feels more surprising and rewarding when you discover the real story. 

I also enjoy the main story behind this mod. I always wonder whether there are individuals with different alignments from a certain evil race that we are familiar with in this series, and I enjoy the additional characterization and the opportunity to learn more lore about them. This story also fits the central theme of vanilla BG2 story very well, at least for a good nature PC, where you may appreciate the sibling's love written for an unexpected creature more in this game.

Screenshots (heavy spoilers)

Spoiler

The entrance looks very natural

I don't know why rat can talk, but it is fun

Doppelgangers also have feeling and family love

 

Edited August 24, 2022 by xiaoleiwen